UN @ 80: UN General Assembly Prez Urges Renewed Global Solidarity Amid Growing Challenges
The President of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Philemon Yang, has called on the international community to draw strength from the UN’s historic achievements as it navigates a world increasingly marked by division, inequality, and environmental crisis. Speaking at a special event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter, Mr. Yang described the occasion as a moment of reflection and renewed commitment to multilateralism.
“Eighty years ago this month, the Charter of the United Nations was signed in San Francisco, offering hope for a better future after decades of war. Today, we must rekindle that call for unity and solidarity,” Mr. Yang said, addressing diplomats, international civil servants, and representatives of Member States.
Mr. Yang acknowledged the significant milestones the UN has achieved since its founding in 1945, from helping avert a third world war in the nuclear age to supporting decolonization and advancing human development through initiatives like the Millennium Development Goals. He highlighted how these successes serve as a reminder of what nations can achieve through cooperation, even in the face of deep divisions.
“The United Nations was created not to take humanity to heaven but to save us from hell. In that mission, it has not failed,” he said, paraphrasing former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld.
Reflecting on the current state of the world, Mr. Yang pointed to persistent challenges including conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. He warned that the promise of peace remains fragile and underscored the importance of preserving the multilateral system that has helped prevent another global war.
Turning to development, Mr. Yang praised the UN’s role in halving extreme poverty and reducing child mortality under the Millennium Development Goals framework. However, he urged the world to accelerate efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in eradicating poverty and hunger, achieving gender equality, and combating climate change.
“Despite setbacks, these do not warrant diminished ambition but greater resolve. The UN has always proven its worth in times of crisis. We must build on our legacy of progress,” he stressed.
Mr. Yang also noted the evolving nature of the UN’s mission, pointing to recent reforms and the adoption of the Pact for the Future at last year’s Summit of the Future as proof that Member States remain committed to adapting the organization to meet 21st-century challenges.
“Our founders, emerging from the ashes of war, chose bold action over despair. Today, we must do the same. The risks are high, but so too is our capacity to act,” he concluded.
As part of the UN80 initiative led by Secretary-General António Guterres, Mr. Yang called for renewed global solidarity and action, urging nations to honor the principles of the Charter and work together to build a just, peaceful, and sustainable future.
